IT Based Farmers’ Window

for Panel Discussion

National Workshop on Role of Information Communication Technology in

Taking Scientific Knowledge/Technologies to the End Users

January 10-11, 2005

Dr. N. KalraUnit of Simulation and Informatics

Indian Agricultural Research InstituteNew Delhi 110012

Mandates of newly formed USI at IARI

• To generate and collate data to develop simulation models on crop growth, input management, pest dynamics and yield prediction.

• To provide internet connectivity, maintain dynamic web site, farmer’s advisory service, tele-conferencing and e-mail services to IARI.

• To develop database on pedigree management of wheat, maize, rice, chickpea and mung.

• To develop statistical packages for field data analysis, matrix comparison and variability analysis as applicable to Molecular Markers Assisted Systems/Selection and Molecular Biology.

Large variability in bio-physical and socio-economic inputs, smaller land holdings and intensive cultivation, diverse cropping systems

Traditional extension cannot cope with the demand

Information Technologymay help

To develop simulation models for yield estimates under various biotic and abiotic stresses.Activity 1: To develop/test simple agri- simulation models and decision support systems for assessing the productivity of crops under various stresses and suggest optimal inputs for sustained productivity of major crops.

Activity 2: To devise methodology for forecast of regional agri- production by conventional and simulation tools.

Pest Informatics (Rice, wheat, maize, cotton, chick pea and sugarcane)

Characterization of important pest problems in agriculture in different agro-ecological zones.

Documentation of changes in pest scenario of crops

Delineation of hot spots and linkage with biotic and abiotic stresses

Compilation of pest management options

Simulation of crop-pest interactions

DSS for integrated pest management

1

2

3

4

1980 1990 2000Y ear

Inc

ide

nc

e le

ve

l

s hootf ly brow nmiteaphids pinkborer

Pest situation for wheat in Punjab

Simulation of Yield Losses due to Multiple Pests (INFOCROP)

Temperature,radiation

crop, water, nitrogen

CropGrowthModel

Yield of control

crop

Crop growth model coupled

withdamage

mechanisms

Yieldloss

Pests Injuries Yield of infected

crop

Development of soil data-base for land use planning

  Primary soil characters

Moisture retention, release and transmission characteristics

Soil fertility evaluation and trends

Organic carbon budget, its dynamics and sequestration potential

Organic content status of I ndian soilsP e d o t r a n s f e r f u n c t i o n s

y = - 1 0 8 . 8 * x 2 + 4 3 8 . 2 * x + 3 2 . 1 , R 2 = 0 . 7 8

0

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

0 . 0 0 . 3 0 . 6 0 . 9 1 . 2 1 . 5

O r g a n i c c a r b o n ( % )

Ava

ilab

le n

itro

gen

(k

g/h

a)

y = - 0 . 0 0 2 3 * x 2 + 0 . 4 * x + 4 . 8 , R 2 = 0 . 5 2

0

5

1 0

1 5

2 0

2 5

3 0

3 5

0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 0 1 0 0

S i C l ( % )

Ava

ilab

le w

ate

r

(cm

/ m

of

soil)